SwissGear 1900 Scansmart TSA 17 Laptop Backpack, Black/Black, 19-Inch

Love this backpack. Bought it specifically for traveling for work. Carried 2-17 inch laptops, one I bought a travel sleeve for, and they easily fit. Plus 2 chargers and mouses. NEVER ran out of room or a compartment to put what I wanted in, invading a change of clothes and purchases at the airport. DID NOT feel bulky although a lot in it. Padded straps for comfort. Well made and durable. Used for my carry on and it fit perfectly under the airplane seat, with access to anything I wanted while in flight. Would HIGHLY recommend for the traveler or student.

I've had--and still have--many, many backpacks; been buying them since high school, and I buy a new one every few years. I purchased this one in part because it will fit my 17" laptop, but also because I needed something to replace my old and ratty "day to day" backpack for "urban schlepping." By and large, this is one very sturdy, spacious and versatile backpack, perhaps the best one I've ever bought. It arrived at my place of work with a whole bunch of other stuff I had ordered on Amazon; for the trip home, I was able to stuff my old (partially filled) backpack into it, along with two packaged tablecloths, two shower curtain liners, and several other smaller items--it all fit very easily with little packing effort expended. Two days later I fit 25 lbs of groceries into it, again with ease, and with room to spare--didn't even need the zippered side pockets, but I probably could have put another couple pounds worth of stuff in them. Both times, both trips, I found that the loaded pack rode very nicely, very comfortably near the center of my back, and that was without having yet made any adjustments to the straps. The cushioning on the back-facing side of the backpack is generous but not overly so, and yeah, the "airflow" feature between the two cushioned areas does seem to aid in the comfort factor. The straps are amply wide, also padded, and they have a measure of elasticity to them--near the top of each strap is a trapezoidal-shaped (2x2x3) of sturdy, "one way" stretch material (stretches vertically, not horizontally); when carrying the groceries, the pack didn't "bounce around" or anything, but the elastic acted like a shock absorber of sorts, made for flexibility in movement and kept the top of the straps from digging into my shoulders as other backpacks with heavy loads have done in the past. Overall, the main material is thick and obviously strong, the exterior front pockets are conveniently, smartly placed; the zippers are all seem very strong and reliable; and the stitching of the seams and strap connections appears to be very solidly done. When first looking at this bag, I thought I might be put off by the solid plastic handle at the top of the front compartment--never had bag with one of those--but I've already come to appreciate it: while on the subway I had to take the pack off and carry it by the handle and it allowed for a very good and solid grip, like carrying piece of luggage; also, while wearing the pack the handle doesn't interfere with my head movements at all like I thought it might--doesn't even come near my head. If I have any complaints at all, I'd say I'd prefer that the "organizer pocket" on the bottom front to have a bit stiffer accessory sleeve within (where you put pens and whatnot), but I'm sure I can deal with what's there, or perhaps I'll invest in a small organizer or "catchall" to slip in there. Folks, this is a real good back pack; it might be overkill if you're looking for something just to carry a few light items all the time, but if you need something that will stand up to the regular (or even occasional) heavy load, or to maybe use as a carry on travel bag, this sucker is it.Just as a side note, perhaps to illustrate how sturdy this bag is: A few days after getting the backpack, I was watching a 60 Minutes segment on "Gorilla Doctors," veterinarians who traipse deep into the jungle to aid gorillas in peril. While in the field attending one anesthetized gorilla who had been snared, they show the vets unpacking their gear and medicines and whatnot . . . and the lead vet had what appeared to be this exact backpack. So, if jungle docs have confidence in this bag . . . go for it.

4.9 stars ... ALMOST perfect :)I love this pack. I use it every day, and I love it.That said ... I'll start by telling you the ONE thing I'm not crazy about ... the fact that unless it is completely full OR I'm packing something very rigid and flat in the bottom, when I set it down on its base, it wants to tip forward. OK, so I know that now and I lean it facing against a vertical surface before I let it set on its base ... but I'd prefer if, like my first SG pack, it sat up properly, on its own. But that's a minor point. Very minor. Everything else ... I love.This is the third or fourth Swiss Gear backpack I've owned and I really must say these guys continue to knock them out of the park. Let's talk particulars:APPEARANCEMore than any of my previous SwissGear bags, I love the looks of this one. The red and black are perfect for me and the trim design on this one is just right. Everything is easy to find, easy to reach, and the color scheme is just what I was looking for. While the blue/black and the gray/black bags I've had in the past were attractive, this one is my favorite.COMFORTFull or empty, for hiking or office, this pack always feels great when I wear it. The weight distribution is wonderful, it never feels heavy on me, even when full, and unlike some older models, the straps really seem to like to stay where they belong, instead of twisting under in ways I can't control. My first SG bag had a terrible problem with the pull straps twisting as they came through the slide fittings ... not this bag ... the straps stay nice and flat and tighten and release without a hitch.COMPARTMENT DESIGNThis bag doesn't look any bigger than the previous SG bags I've had, but it seems like I can just keep putting more and more stuff into it all the time and I never run out of space. OK, I do ... but the bag consistently takes more than I think it can. There are several primary storage compartments to tell you about.1) LAPTOP/FLATS - Closest to your back is a laptop storage compartment with a single zipper that goes from the base of the pack to the top, but only on one side. Easy in, easy out ... that' show I get my laptop in and out every day, and it's a big improvement over the double zippers that ran down both sides when you don't NEED full access to this compartment. Brilliant.2) TABLET/FLATS - Next out from your back is a double zippered compartment that allows you, if you want/need to, to open the back of the pack completely and lay it flat ... they suggest for airport inspections. The netting between compartment 1 and 2 allows for quick visual inspection of the laptop area (C1) and the "tablet" area (C2) ... yes, you can pile all kinds of folders and such in compartment 2, but it has a nifty little pocket built in for storing your tablet as well ... and the design of C1 an C2 keeps your laptop and tablet safe from scratching each other. Great design. and if you don't have either a laptop or a tablet, C1 and C2 will work great for large notebooks, files, folios, etc. Tons of room.3) MAIN - Next in, moving forward from the back, is what I'd call the main compartment ... and it is cavernous. At the bottom, nearest the back, are three dividers for keeping folders or such along the back plane of the compartment but separated from each other. Forward of these dividers (which collapse almost completely upon themselves when not in use) is a larger area for storing thicker things ... stack of books, bulkier items that are several inches deep, combinations of the two. This is the area where I often keep a few poly folders, my lunch container, a hat, gloves, a small thermos ... and more. As always, the central storage section of these packs just keeps taking whatever you have to give it.3.1) MAIN FRONT TOP - Built into the main compartment is a sub-zipper compartment in the outer flap that's great for things like loose cables or other small items you want to keep handy and protected. The netting keeps them visible but secure. It's big enough to keep receipts, a check book, even your wallet, if you like. Very handy.3.2) MP3/PHONE/SMALLS - Onto the top of the back plane of the main compartment is a small pouch for ... well, for whatever you prefer ... MP3 player or phone being likely candidates, as there's a quick access hole just above this pocket that leads out the top of the pack and is marked for headphones ... handy. But, if you don't have an MP3 or phone to store there (which I often don't), I find stacks of post-it notes, flags or other small, delicate things you want to be able to get to quickly while keeping safe (this pocket is nicely padded) work just as well. A note on the access for head/earphones ... coming up from the inner pouch is a small hole for the cable to fit through ... this is shielded by a small hood to help keep water from getting in if you're hiking/walking in weather. Great idea!4 and 5) TWIN SILOS - Along the size of the pack are two deep, vertical pouches (red topped for easy visibility) that are great for things like narrow water bottles or other small things that you can stack vertically. In one, I keep a SwissTool in the bottom, a pencil sharpener atop that, and a tin of breath mints atop that. In the other, I keep a full sized tube of toothpaste and a full sized tooth brush, and a few other personal items. But water bottles would fit just as well, provided they're not too large a diameter.6 and 7) WEB WATER POCKETS - Outside and at the base of the two vertical SILO pouches/pockets are two traditional webbed pockets for water bottles. You know about those. Nothing fancy.8) TOP FRONT - at the top of the front of the pack is a small, quick access pocket (with the SG logo on it) with a single zipper that's great for whatever things you want to get ready access to most often. I can see possibly keeping a cell in here ... if it wasn't always in my shirt pocket or a wallet ... if it wasn't in my other shirt pocket. Personally, I keep my cell recharge adapter and cable in it. I'm grabbing them all the time and they're super easy to grab for a quick recharge from this pocket.9) BOTTOM FRONT - as with most S/G packs I've had, there's a nice pocket in the front divided with sub-pockets for things like a day planner, pens, pencils and loose items such as a small hand sanitizer bottle, mini-flashlight, etc. ... whatever you need that's on your quick access list that needs its own little inner pocket to live in ... PLUS ... for keys, an easy on, easy off plastic clip sewn into the back plain of this pocket that's great for securing them.SPECIAL FEATURES- Front mounted D-ring: I put my keys there sometimes when they're not at risk and I want quick access to them- Bright silver zipper pulls - packs I've had in the past had black zipper pulls ... hard to find in low light conditions ... not these ... super easy to find.- twin loops - they always seem to have these on the front ... I don't use them, someone must. :)- shades loop - on the port side strap (as worn) is a loop for slipping the stem of your shade through ... would I? No, but I wear prescription shades.- indestructible handle - this is the most indestructible of all of the grab handles I've had on an SG pack ... they were all beefy as heck, but this one could probably survive a direct hit from a ... well, I'll leave that to your imagination.- mystery loops - at the top of the shoulder straps, there are two loops, each with a small rubber emblem on them with two arrows pointing in opposing directions ... I have no idea what they're for. I'd love to find out. :)- side synching straps - not enough stuff in your pack to justify the depth ... use the synching straps to snug it up.I'll add to this review as I spend more time with it and learn more ... for now ... just lovin' it.